Scab c. 1933 - 1934

Herman Volz made this print called Scab and honestly, it’s an interesting one. The cross-hatching is exquisite, building up tones with fine, precise lines. It’s all about process, right? The way an artist methodically layers marks, each one contributing to the overall image. The thing that gets me is the flatness of the surface. It's not trying to trick you into thinking it's anything but ink on paper. Take a look at the way Volz renders that figure, almost mannequin-like, striding awkwardly across the scene, each line meticulously placed to build form, but also to remind you of the artifice. The heavy rope seems to imply a nautical setting, but what’s with that odd, almost surreal juxtaposition of objects? The whole piece resonates with the dreamlike quality of Giorgio de Chirico’s work, where everyday objects are removed from their usual context, creating a sense of mystery and alienation. It feels like an invitation to a puzzle, with no single solution, and that, to me, is the beauty of art. It’s an ongoing conversation, an exchange of ideas, and we get to be a part of it.